Gardaí attended the scene of an incident involving Fine Gael and Sinn Féin election candidates in Ballymahon, Co Longford this evening.
Pictures have emerged of Deputy James Bannon in a Garda car - however, Gardaí are insisting that he was not arrested and no other arrests have been made.
Shannonside FM's Denise Canavan reports:
It's understood that Fine Gael sitting TD for Longford Westmeath Deputy James Bannon and Athlone Sinn Fein Councillor Paul Hogan and their supporters were canvassing the Creevaghbeg Estate in the town around 4pm today when tensions arose.
Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident which is believed to involve accusations over the alleged theft or displacement of election leaflets or posters.
In a statement to Shannonside FM News, Gardaí have said they are "investigating to establish if any offences were committed in relation to an incident today in Creevaghbeg Estate in Ballymahon".
Photographs have emerged of the Longford Westmeath Deputy and Legan native sitting in the front passenger seat of a squad car, however, Gardaí have confirmed that Deputy Bannon was not arrested and that no arrests were made.
The investigation is ongoing.
Both Cllr Paul Hogan and Deputy James Bannon have been contacted for comment, however no response has been received.